Faculty of Kinesiology

Together, we will lead the way to healthy living

We aim to improve the health of our society through a combination of education, research, activity and inspiration.

Kinesiology is much more than the science of human movement. It seeks answers to pressing health and human-performance issues.

The faculty is uniquely positioned in Canada with internationally recognized research programs in the Human Performance Laboratory and the Sports Medicine Centre. Our world-leading facilities include the Olympic Oval. We have solid working relationships with the Canadian Sport Centre Calgary and WinSport.

Our renewal and expansion plan promotes an inviting and exciting centre of activity that can be enjoyed by those on campus and in the larger community.

By focusing on improving health and wellness, as well as pushing the limits of human performance, we can inspire students, researchers and the community to achieve outstanding results.

Together, we will realize our potential.

Faculty of Kinesiology campaign goal

$25 million

Progress to date:
$22.7 million

Students engage with academics and athletics

Kinesiology students are actively engaged in academics, athletics and their community. Our programs are accredited to the highest standards in Canada.

Kin Camp — a first-year experience for our students — has won the Student’s Union First Year Engagement Award for the past four years.

Kinesiology careers include medicine, biomedical engineering, coaching, education, fitness industries, physical or athletic therapy and more. We are committed to key research and graduating students who are well positioned to succeed as leaders in our community.

Developing cutting-edge assessment tools

Our undergrad students have the rare opportunity to work under the mentorship of leading University of Calgary researchers early in their careers.

The Markin Undergraduate Student Research Program in Health & Wellness allows students such as Stacey Lobos to enjoy mentorship while doing research with results in the broader community.

Fourth-year Kinesiology student Lobos is attempting to create and validate a clinical assessment tool for people who have spinal cord injury.

Solving health problems with research

The faculty has deep roots in the community we serve. We develop answers to pressing health and human-performance problems.

Our researchers work in the world-famous Human Performance Lab studying arthritis, obesity and diabetes, and more.

We undertake molecular muscle biomechanics studies and large population studies. We follow Alberta’s minor hockey teams to reduce injury. We find interventions for prevention and help those already afflicted to enjoy life more fully.

Sport injuries program expands reach

Professors Carolyn Emery and Keith Yeates took their vanguard research on sport injuries and concussions to a star-studded event in Los Angeles that included former NHL goalie Ken Dryden.

They are part of a unique initiative as part of the university’s Brain and Mental Health research strategy. The program takes an integrated approach to provide national and international leadership on injuries to children, youth and athletes.

Sharing their findings and increasing awareness provides a valuable learning experience that broadens support for the program.

Making communities healthier

By teaching kids to be active at a young age, we help them create healthy lifestyles. They and their communities will benefit for years to come. Exercise is an immediate and lasting reward.

Kinesiology research shows that exercise is the most important way of preventing and reversing chronic diseases such as diabetes. Exercise improves the quality of life for people who live with these diseases. Exercise also improves the lives of people recovering from serious illnesses like cancer.